James F Cox, Jr. M.D.

JAMES FRANKLIN COX, JR., M.D., went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, June 4, 2012 in Tyler, Texas after a long and wonderful life. He was a loving husband and father who provided a happy home for his family. He touched the lives of many people, and will be missed by them all. “Jim” was born November 16, 1921 in Abilene, TX to James Franklin Cox and Mary Melissa Hayes Cox. After graduating from Abilene Christian College, he enlisted in the United States Navy and enrolled in medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. While earning his degree, he met and married Mary Ruth Pettigrew. After completing his active service with the Navy, he began his practice as a family physician in Houston which lasted an amazing 54 years! In 1952, he contracted polio from one of his patients and became critically ill. But God had other plans. A miraculous recovery ensued, and he was able to return to his practice. His love for medicine was strong, but even stronger was his love for the Church. Jim served as an elder in the Church of Christ for 41 years. Through his work and his faith he certainly demonstrated a servant’s heart.

He is survived by: wife, Mary Ruth; daughter, Phyllis Cox Crawford; daughter and son-in-law, Donna Cox Mullins and Bill Mullins; son and daughter-in-law, James Franklin Cox III and Connie Cox; son and daughter-in-law, Russell Lewis Cox and Marcy Halterman-Cox; grandchildren, Charles Crawford, Shelley Crawford, Mary Beth Pittman, Matthew Crawford, Ryan Mullins, Kevin Mullins, Kyle Mullins, Jordan Mullins, Alex Mullins, Jared Cox, Ruth Anne Thornton, Aine Cox, and Eva Cox; and sixteen great-grandchildren. A special thanks to his caregivers Laura Staley and Marilyn Borchers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Franklin Cox and Mary Melissa Hayes Cox; sisters, Mary Goree Thompson and Margaret Cox; and his son, Alan Lowell Cox.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 7th at the Brookside Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Candlelight Church of Christ at 1p.m. on June 8th with interment to follow at the Brookside Memorial Park